In the summer of 1957, Chen Mingduan enrolled in Fuzhou No. 5 Middle School; he joined the military during his second year of high school, commencing his military career with the People's Liberation Army. Throughout his military tenure, he progressed from soldier and squad leader to platoon leader; in 1967, he attained the rank of company commander, in 1970, battalion commander, in 1973, chief of staff of a regiment, and in 1979, regimental commander. Subsequently, he attended the National Defense University and, in 1982, assumed the position of Chief of Staff of the 92nd Division. In 1983, he was designated Chief of Staff of the 31st Army. In 1985, he ascended to the position of Chief of Staff of the Fujian Military District, and in June 1990, he was elevated to Deputy Commander of the District.[2] He held the position of Commander of the Fujian Provincial Military District and was a member of the Standing Committee of the Fujian Provincial Committee of the Chinese Communist Party from March 1996 to December 2001. He attained the rank of major general in 1990 and concluded his military career in 2001.[3][4]
Following his retirement, he dedicated himself to philanthropic endeavors.[5] In late 2006, Chen Mingduan was designated chairman of the Fujian Disabled Persons Welfare Foundation and initiated the "Safe Housing Project for Persons with Disabilities" in April 2007.[6][7]